10 Irish Stars Who Could Be Going to Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding

If you’re in the process of finalising your guestlist, spare a thought for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who are currently trying to figure out how to squeeze foreign dignitaries, religious figures, politicians - oh, and friends and family! - into the 800-capacity St. George’s Chapel on May 19th. With just days to go until the invitations are posted (possibly bearing Meghan’s own handwriting - she’s a keen calligrapher!), we had a go at guessing which Irish stars might receive one...

Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman

Former rugby pro Brian became pally with William and Harry after meeting the royals at a sporting event in 2010, but famously turned down an invitation to Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding to train for an important Heineken Cup match. Wife Amy happily went along without him, and I mean, can you blame her?!

Royal rating:

Our verdict: Brian and Amy are regulars in the royal box at Wimbledon, suggesting they're still in touch, and Harry's rugby obsession is probably motivation enough to secure this couple a spot on the guestlist!

Ali Hewson and Bono

Meghan met Ali in 2014 in Dublin, where they were both attending the One Young World Summit. We imagine these two famous activists had a lot to talk about, and even more now that they’re each attached to one of the most recognisable men on the planet!

Royal rating:

Our verdict: This wouldn’t surprise us one bit. Ali and Bono are highly qualified in the skill of keeping celebrity romance alive, so Meghan and Harry would be smart to make them part of their clique.

Rory McIlroy

Golfer Rory helped Meghan film an Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014, sparking rumours of a romance, but as she was dating Canadian Chef Cory Vitiello at the time (and they went on to date for two more years!), they're likely just buddies.

Royal rating:

Our verdict: This is a tricky one to call. Meghan wasn’t present at Rory’s April 2017 wedding to Erica Stoll but she had a good excuse - it clashed with the filming of her show, Suits, in Toronto. Still, Meghan’s friendship with Serena Williams, and Serena’s friendship with Rory’s ex Caroline Wozniacki, would make for a slightly awkward reception dinner, so we’re not confident that he's made the cut.

Mary Robinson

Meghan and former president Mary Robinson met at the 2016 One Young World Summit in Ottawa, where they were both delegates, and while we have no idea how much time they spent together, it's pretty obvious that Mary is Meghan's type of woman! Mary's award-winning human rights work would certainly have impressed Megs, and it helps Mary's case that she has a good relationship with the royals, having hosted Prince Charles at Áras an Uachtaráin during her presidency.

Royal rating:

Our verdict: We’re pretty besotted with Mary and we reckon Meghan is too, so while she’s not a shoe-in for an invitation, we reckon she should be!

Michelle Fairley

Coleraine-born actress Michelle Fairley joined Meghan on Suits in season three, and appears to have made a big impression on the future royal - Meghan was so engrossed in Michelle’s performance as Catelyn Stark on Game of Thrones that she sent her a bunch of flowers! “I wrote her a long e-mail after I watched it going, ‘I am just blown away.’” Meghan revealed.

Royal rating: (She is Lady Stark after all!)

Our verdict: Although Meghan has left the acting world behind, she’ll definitely stay in touch with some of her acting pals, especially the ones who are part friend, part mentor. Michelle, who also played Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby AKA Henry VIII's granny, in miniseries The White Princess, is one of our safer predictions.

Liam Neeson

Meghan and Liam Neeson were pictured together at an Irish Hillary Clinton Fundraiser in New York in 2014, but the Taken actor doesn’t remember the encounter at all, going so far as to insist that it never happened!

Royal rating:

Our verdict: Liam may not remember Meghan but he’s a big fan of Prince Charles and Camilla so he could be on their wishlist, if not Meghan or Harry’s.

Ryan Tubridy

TV and radio host Ryan was straight in there with congratulations when Meghan and Harry announced their engagement, flaunting a selfie he and Meghan took at a St. Patrick's Day event in the White House in 2015. He later admitted, "I met her for about six and a half seconds.”

Royal rating:

Our verdict: Not a chance, Tubs.

Noel Fitzpatrick

We already know how besotted Meghan is with her rescue beagle Guy, now living with the couple at Kensington Palace, so we imagine she's got quite a lot of respect for Laois-born telly supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, who reportedly saved the day when Guy was involved in an accident at Christmas.

Royal rating:

Our verdict: Wouldn’t you invite the man who saved your dog's life to your wedding? I mean, this one seems like a no-brainer to us!

Can't get enough of Meghan Markle fever? Check out more of our Royal Wedding predictions here.